Monthly Archives: February 2012

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The first pitch of the 2012 Cactus League schedule has yet to be thrown for the White Sox, let alone their first pitch of the regular season. But Robin Ventura's inaugural team has begun to take shape.

The San Diego Padres may have never won a World Series, had a pitcher toss a no-hitter or had a position player hit for the cycle. But the one thing they've always done well is provide a stellar bullpen.

When doubters question Dee Gordon's slight frame, or worse -- whether he's tough enough to take the pounding of the Major Leagues -- Gordon knows what the doubters don't. "I've been fighting since the day I was born," said the Dodgers' new shortstop and leadoff hitter.

Franklin Gutierrez has suffered a partial tear of the pectoral muscle in his right chest and will miss at least the next four weeks, the Mariners announced after the Gold Glove center fielder flew home to Seattle to meet with their team physician.

MLB.com At Bat, the top-selling sports application of all time -- and the only sports app inducted to Apple's iPhone and iPad App Store Hall of Fame and the Macworld App Hall of Fame -- launched Wednesday right in time for this weekend's return of live Major League Baseball action.

There's a strong possibility that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will make his highly-anticipated arrival at A's camp by weekend's end, nearly three weeks after news broke of his four-year, $36 million contract.

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has said that suspicion will always surround him and all other players from the steroid era. But as he nears the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, Jones takes great pride in the fact that he conquered those temptations he once had to use performance-enhancing drugs.

Wednesday was the first day Dodgers starting pitchers threw live batting practice to hitters, and right out of the chute, National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw opposed the middle of the starting lineup: Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney.

The Astros have yet to name an Opening Day starter, but all signs point towards veteran left-hander Wandy Rodriguez being on the mound when Houston faces the Colorado Rockies on April 6 at Minute Maid Park. Houston hasn't had a lefty start on Opening Day since Dave Roberts in 1974.